The martyrdom of JCO in the Keri Bhattal sector of Akhnoor brings to the forefront a painful yet persistent reality of the LoC – the price of peace and security paid in blood by our soldiers. This incident, while tragic, is not isolated. The incident underscores two key issues: Pakistan’s continued complicity in supporting cross-border terrorism and the tremendous bravery of Indian soldiers who stand sentinel in some of the harshest and most dangerous terrains. While the Pakistani Army mouths commitments to ceasefire agreements – the most recent reiteration during the April 10 flag meeting at Chakan-Da-Bagh – actions on the ground tell a different story. Infiltration attempts, such as the one foiled at Akhnoor, reveal the duplicity of Pakistan’s military establishment, which seems to operate with a dual agenda – seeking diplomatic calm while fuelling proxy wars through terror outfits.
Pakistan’s role in fanning terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is both deep-rooted and strategically deliberate. Since the late 1980s, Pakistan has used terrorism as a state-sponsored instrument to destabilise the region, exploiting religious and political sentiments to incite violence and unrest. The Pakistani military and its intelligence agency, the ISI, have played a central role in training, funding, and arming terror outfits like LeT, JeM, and Hizbul Mujahideen. The recent infiltration attempts along the border reflect Pakistan’s ongoing commitment to low-intensity conflict under the guise of “plausible deniability”. Even after reaffirming the 2021 ceasefire agreement, Pakistan continues to facilitate cross-border intrusions by providing covering fire, logistical support, and safe havens for terrorists in PoJK. Moreover, Pakistan actively engages in propaganda and psychological warfare, using social media platforms and other channels to radicalise Kashmiri youth and glorify terrorism. Despite facing international criticism, including being grey-listed by the Financial Action Task Force in the past, Pakistan has not taken credible steps to dismantle terror networks on its soil.
This infiltration bid was not a random occurrence. It follows a marked increase in such activities in recent months in Rajouri, Poonch, and Jammu districts. This escalation indicates a deliberate tactical shift – perhaps an attempt to disrupt the relative stability achieved post the 2021 ceasefire agreement. By pushing terrorists across the border under the cover of ceasefire agreements and diplomatic gestures, Pakistan aims to keep the region in a state of unrest while avoiding full-scale war. The broader objective is twofold: to maintain international attention on the Kashmir issue and to destabilise internal security by fuelling insurgency and violence. This strategy also involves exploiting gaps in terrain surveillance, taking advantage of weather conditions, and using advanced methods such as underground tunnels, sniper covers, and IEDs – as seen in past incidents. In essence, Pakistan’s strategy is to bleed India by a thousand cuts, using terrorism as a tool to internationalise the Kashmir issue while evading accountability. This persistent interference threatens regional peace and the safety of innocent lives in J&K.
The response from Indian leadership and military officials has been prompt and respectful. However, beyond the ceremonial, the strategic and policy response needs scrutiny. The repeated infiltrations demand not just tactical vigilance but a recalibrated diplomatic approach to address Pakistan’s duplicity on the international stage. India has long advocated for global recognition of Pakistan’s role in harbouring and supporting terror outfits. Incidents like this bolster India’s case and must be leveraged diplomatically to push for more stringent international scrutiny and sanctions where applicable.
Domestically, the need for greater technological and infrastructural upgrades along the LoC is overdue. From enhanced surveillance capabilities – such as thermal imaging and drones – to bolstered intelligence networks and community engagement in border villages, every tool must be used to preempt and prevent such infiltration attempts. These are not rogue or spontaneous acts but a persistent and evolving part of Pakistan’s hybrid warfare doctrine. India’s response must go beyond tactical containment – it requires a sustained, strategic approach involving technology, diplomacy, psychological resilience, and internal security reinforcement to effectively counter and expose the broader game plan behind these infiltrations.
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